Islam Is The Way Of Life

Islam Is The Way Of Life

ISLAM IS THE WAY OF LIFE

Islam as an Arabic or rather Quran word which has a combination of various meaning, several verses of the Quran express that the word “Islam” means “peace”. An another number of verses of the same Holy Book are also found to signify that “Islam” means “submission” or “surrender”.

Technically, Islam is rules from Allah for human to final happiness in the world and the here after through. His guidance written in the Holy Book sent to Prophet Muhammad SAW. Another definition of Islam is it is believe in God through, His revelation sent to the Prophet to regulate human relations and relations between human and God. Following verse of the Quran:

و ان جنحوا للسلم فاجنح لها وتوكّل على اللّه انّه و السميع العليم (61)

“and if they incline towards peace (salm), incline thou also towards it, and put thy trust in Allah”.

                                                                                                                                          (Al-Anfal:61)

The five pillar of Islam is in order o have a precise conception of Islam, through analysis and reflection on the concept and wisdom in the prescription of its pillars is so essential. The pillars of Islam are, firstly, The Islamic Creed, under the context of the Islamic Faith, that is, the belief in the oneness of God and the belief in the finality and universality of Prophet Muhammad’s messenger to all human in world.

لا اله الا الله محمد رسول الله

“no deity but Allah, Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah”

The five times daily organized service of prayer (As-Salat) is the second pillar of Islam. It is distinct from the ordinary invocation and supplication to Allah which could be performed in any language deemed convenient in expressing one’s feeling to his Creator. The organized prayer has to be performed in the language common to all Muslims, that is, the language of the Quran (Arabic). The prayers has various stages: bowing low, prostrating oneself, and standing and kneeling before God. In assuming these various postures, the congregation ­­­­demonstrate their submission to the Lord. This has been emphasized by Rasulullah SAW in has saying which, more or less, runs like this:

فليؤمكم أقرؤكم بكتاب الله

“you should be led (in the prayer) by the most conversant of the Book of Allah among you”

During the prayers, an expert from the Quran is read out. One amazing attribute of the Quran is that, no matter which part is chosen and how much of it is recited, its message is clearly conveyed.

Fasting on the month Ramadhan is the third pillar after prayer of Islam. It has been voyage in the revealed religions. Before the revelation of the Quran, fasting has been observed in commemoration of sorrowful events, as well as in mourning and other afflictions. Since no food or drink whatsoever is to be consumed during daylight hours, they experience the sharp pangs of hunger and thirst, and the fatigue and weakness which accompany them. The Quran is unequivocal that fasting results in God fearing and high discipline. This has been stressed by the verse which goes like this:

يأ يها الّذين ءامنوا كتب عليكم الصّيام كما كتب على الّذين من قبلكم لعلّكم تتّقون (183)

“O ye who Believe! Fasting is prescribed on you as it was prescribed on those before you, so that ye may become God-fearing”.

                                                                                                                                     (Al-Baqarah:183)

When they see food and water before them, feel tempted to eat and drink, but then refrain from doing so, their will-power is strengthened each time they resist temptation.

The fourth pillar of Islam, Zakat, is the giving alms out of one’s own private means at a minimum fixed rate of 2.5% per annum. This money is given in the name of God and is to be spent on worthy religious causes and on meeting the needs of the poor and the helpless. The needy, in the other hand, after sharing the rich of his wealth cannot help stretching a hand of cooperation of safeguard the wealth of the latter without the least envy and hatred. The Quran is explicit in this respect:

خذ من أمولهم صدقة تطهّرهم وتزكّيهم بها (103)

“of their wealth take alms, that so thou mightest purify and sanctify them”.

                                                                                                                                     (At-Taubah:103)

The system of life created for him by God, meeting as it does all of his requirements from these of his inner being to those of his external environment, is one of the greatest perfection.

Hajj, the fifth pillar of Islam, is the name given to the pilgrimage to Mecca, the focal point of Islam, where once every year Muslims from all over the world gather to perform a special type of congregational worship. Performing Hajj, is prescribed at least once in a life time on every Muslim, male or female, who can afford to do so. This has been emphasized by the Quran:

ولله على النّاس حجّ البيت من استطاع اليه سبيلا (97)

“And hajj to the House is incumbent upon man as a duty they owe to Allah, upon those who can afford the journey to it”.

In conclusion, Islam as stressed by the Quran and the Sunnah is the only ‘Din’ in the sight of Allah. Unlike the other religions which were named after their founders, Islam is unique in the sense that it was Allah Who named it.

انّ الدّين عند الله الاسلم (19)

“Lo! ‘Din’ with Allah is Islam”

 REFERENCE  BOOKS:-

1)    Islam at a Glance by Sadruddin Islahi

2)    Islam as it is by Maulana Wahiduddin Khan

3)    Islam in Practice by Abu Huraira Abdur Rahman